Safer Cities violators drop by half in Calabarzon in a week

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‘Minors violating curfew hours’ is the violation with the highest number, followed closely by ‘drinking and smoking in public places’

BATANGAS, Philippines – Within a week of the implementation of the Safer Cities campaign in Calabarzon, the number of violators dropped by half, statistics obtained by Rappler showed. 

From 4,621 peace and order violators on April 8-9, the number went down by almost 54% to 2,408 by April 14-15, according to the accomplishment report presented by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office (PRO) IV-A to Interior Secretary Juan Victor Remulla on Wednesday, April 15.  

Remulla and PRO IV-A Regional Director Brigadier General Hansel Marantan spoke at the gathering of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Batangas Chapter in the town of Mabini. 

Violators of local ordinances were either warned, fined, or charged with the any of the following: 

• Drinking and smoking in public places 
• Roaming the streets without shirts 
• Urinating in the side street, littering, dumping garbage anywhere 
• Using of karaoke beyond the allowed time 
• Minors violating curfew hours 
• Vandalism 
• Using structure and obstruction subject to road clearing operation 
• Wearing balaclava 
• Violation of the city traffic ordinance/code  
• Other misconduct 

In both the April 8-9 and April 14-15 tallies, “minors violating curfew hours” was the violation with the highest number, followed closely by “drinking and smoking in public places.” The rest of the violations had significantly less numbers.  

The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the PNP launched the Safer Cities campaign on April 6, but with its implementation in Metro Manila the most publicized — thus, the initiative being called the Safer Metro Manila Plan. 

Remulla had said this would eventually be rolled out in other metro cities, like Baguio, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao. 

Critics have questioned the legality of the campaign, but Remulla emphasized that the campaign is based on existing laws and local ordinances whose public awareness and enforcement had only weakened over time. (WATCH: Order in the Court: Is it legal to arrest people drinking, smoking on streets?)

“The laws have always been there. But some people have ignored them, while others even challenged them. It is time for people to acknowledge the majesty of the law,” said Remulla, who was a longtime governor of Cavite, the most populous town in Calabarzon. 

With a significant portion of those apprehended being minors, Remulla said many parents expressed relief that their children were being brought home earlier and kept away from harmful environments.

“Young people must be home early and safe. The streets can expose them to drinking, illegal substances, and criminal activities at a very early age,” he said. 

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers had warned that if the penalty provided in the local ordinances are just fines, then there’s no ground to arrest or keep violators under custody. 

Based on the PNP PRO IV-A report, most of those apprehended — between 6 and 8 for every 10 — were only reprimanded. Hundreds are fined, and a few dozens are charged. 

Marantan told the Batangas mayors: “I know how LGUs (local government units) want to maintain peace and order. With this new directive, let us work together and attain a safer place — not just for our families, but for our people. Maintaining peace is not just our work; it is a collective endeavor. It is us — we reap all the gains if we work together.” 

“A safer place starts among individuals. Respect public space, follow local ordinances, keep minors safe and home early, support law enforcement efforts, and together let’s build safer, more disciplined communities,” Remulla said.  

During the event, the DILG chief also said the first week of the Safer Cities campaign led to 65,000 arrests in various areas across the country, and contributed to a 30% drop in index crimes. He didn’t give other details. 

Index crimes are serious crimes by which the PNP measures the peace and order situation. They include murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping or cattle rustling. – Rappler.com